Parenting With and Beyond Cancer: A Photo-Elicitation Study

The purpose of this study was to understand the occupational performance of parents with cancer and to understand if photo-elicitation would provide new insights into these experiences. In a semi-structured photo-elicitation interview, 36 participants living with and beyond cancer who had children under 18 years old shared and discussed photographs related to their parenting experiences. Transcribed interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Two main themes were identified. Parents shared how they (a) managed daily responsibilities and (b) maintained connection with their family. Across all types, stages and phases of the cancer continuum parents shared experiences related to maintaining child and family responsibilities and maintaining connection with their children. Photo-elicitation was an efficient and effective method to gather rich data from parents living with cancer. The results emphasize the clinical utility of using photo-elicitation to understand the occupational performance of parents throughout the cancer continuum of care. Plain Language Summary Understanding the daily activities of parents with cancer through pictures The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of parents living with and beyond cancer. We used pictures taken by parents about their daily life to guide interviews to see if this approach would provide new insights into their daily experiences. Thirty-six parents with a cancer diagnosis (both mothers and fathers) who had children under 18 years of age participated in interviews. Interviews were analyzed using qualitative methods. Parents shared how they managed daily responsibilities and stayed connected with their family while living with and beyond cancer. Discussing the parents’ pictures during the interviews gave researchers a deeper understanding of their experiences living with cancer. The study sample consisted of primarily non-Hispanic White, well-educated parents. Therefore, the results may only be applicable to this specific population.